Husky is a specialized breed, obtained from the aboriginal sled dogs of the Far East and registered by US dog handlers in the 30s of the last century. It is best to keep such a dog outside the home, however, the characteristics of the husky's character and its tendency to freedom will require the arrangement of a special enclosure that allows you to keep the animal within the fenced area.
Aviary requirements
The husky enclosure must meet the following requirements:
- be located in a highly shaded place;
- have a canopy that will protect it from precipitation and allow the dog to walk even in bad weather;
- ventilated, however, being in a draft is not allowed;
- have a minimum number of blank walls;
- be installed on the foundation;
- have a naturally ventilated subfloor;
It is not recommended to use a chain-link mesh as a barrier; it is better to use a welded mesh or metal rods for this purpose.
It is desirable that there is water and sewerage near the enclosure. It should be illuminated in the evening.
Given the active nature of the husky, the area of the aviary for it should be at least 8-9 m².
Booth requirements
A kennel must be installed inside the husky enclosure. Its design depends entirely on the preferences of the owner, but the character of the dog must also be taken into account.
In the southern regions, where there are practically no cold winters, you can build a simplified version of a booth with a wall thickness of one board. In colder areas, the walls of the kennel are insulated with foam or mineral wool.
If the booth is installed in an enclosure with a canopy, it is better to make the roof flat. Husky likes to lie down, watching from a hill what is happening around. In addition, it is easy to make such a roof openable, which will greatly facilitate the owner's cleaning process inside the kennel.
The situation is different in cases where there is no canopy over the aviary.
- In regions where rains and snowfalls rarely fall, the roof of the booth is made with a slope with a slope of no more than 15 °. This will allow the dog to lie on it freely without sliding down.
- Booths with gable roofs are installed in areas with high rainfall. This will prevent the latter from accumulating on the roof of the kennel.
In open enclosures, the booth is additionally equipped with a vestibule, which protects the dog from the sun, wind and rain in summer, and serves as an additional insulating element of the structure in winter.
Having placed a feeder and a drinker in the vestibule, the owner will allow the dog to eat even in bad weather.
It is recommended to use a booth without a vestibule only in those regions where the ambient temperature does not drop below + 5 ° C at any time of the year.
Booth dimensions
A booth for an adult husky should correspond to its size: it will be cold in a very large dog, but it will be cramped in a small one.
The size of the dog is measured as follows:
- length - the distance from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail;
- height - the distance from the ends of the legs to the crown;
- width - the distance from the floor to the level of the shoulder blades (withers)
The internal dimensions of the husky booth must correspond to the above parameters, increased by 10-12 cm.
Next, the dimensions of the entrance manhole are determined. To do this, measure the height of the dog from the floor to the withers.Then 5 cm is subtracted from this value - the result obtained will be the height of the entrance hole into the booth. Its width is equal to the width of the dog's chest, increased by 5 cm.
These calculations are relevant if the booth is intended for an adult, already formed dog. For a puppy or young husky, it is recommended to make a booth based on the average size of a given breed. In this case, the dimensions of the booth will be:
- length - 120 cm;
- width - 75 cm;
- height - 80 cm;
- entrance manhole - 40x60 cm.
When arranging the vestibule, the length of the booth is increased by about 30-40 cm.
For an adult dog with puppies, you will need a much larger kennel.
DIY aviary and husky booth
It is quite difficult to select and purchase a ready-made booth and an aviary for a husky, the size of which can fully satisfy the needs of a dog with a peculiar character. It will be much easier to make them yourself. First, you need to purchase all the necessary materials and tools, as well as to clear and level the selected site. Most often, the booth is made outside the enclosure and then brought onto the platform.
Getting started, you must first develop do-it-yourself drawings of the husky enclosure and determine the size of the booth for it.
Materials and tools
When constructing an aviary and a booth, the following materials may be needed:
- cement, sand, crushed stone, foundation blocks, etc.;
- wooden square beams;
- edged board of various thicknesses;
- wooden shields;
- soft roofing material;
- insulation (polystyrene, mineral wool, etc.);
- silicone sealant;
- joiner's glue;
- metal rods or welded mesh with anti-corrosion coating;
- impregnation for wood (fire retardant, moisture resistant and antiseptic), etc.
Of the tools come in handy:
- electric drill;
- jigsaw;
- hacksaw for wood;
- a hammer;
- roulette;
- building level;
- door hinges;
- tie screws, metal corners, self-tapping screws, screws, nails, etc.
All boards, beams and other wood parts must be carefully planed and sanded.
Aviary
Arrangement of the aviary begins with laying the foundation (tape or columnar). After the foundation has gained the necessary strength, wooden beams are laid on its surface and securely fixed. A plank floor is laid on top of them. If the enclosure is not protected by a canopy, it is better to cement the floor.
There must be an air cushion between the ground and the floor.
The next stage of work is the construction of one or two blank walls. As a rule, they are made in two layers, with insulation inside. To do this, use previously prepared boards or shields. Having securely fastened the walls, they proceed to the arrangement of the metal fence, which will replace the missing walls. It should not block the dog's view of the yard, at the same time preventing unauthorized exit from the enclosure. This is especially important given the dog's agile nature and constant urge to run away from the yard.
One of the walls provides space for a door frame. A securely locking gate is then hung on it. The structure should not block the owner's view of the internal space of the aviary.
The design of the canopy is completely determined by the preferences of the owner.
Booth
The husky booth is a warm and cozy house that does not hinder the movement of the dog during rest. It is made of coniferous or deciduous wood (edged board, lining, etc.), without any toxic impregnations. The design of the house should provide the owner with easy access for cleaning.
They begin to build a booth with the construction of a frame, which is based on 4 beams, interconnected by metal corners and self-tapping screws. If necessary, the frame can be strengthened by connecting opposite sides with additional crossbars. Then the floor is laid on the frame.
At the corners of the base, 4 beams are installed strictly vertically, equal in height to the size of the booth. From the inside, they are sheathed with thick plywood.
4 beams (top trim) are placed on top of the wall bars and securely fastened, which are used for mounting the roof, which it is desirable to insulate. To do this, it is made two-layer, and a layer of insulation is laid between the roofing material and the crate. A booth installed in an aviary with a canopy may have a flat roof. In any case, it is made removable or hinged. This will require door hinges.
For wall insulation, foam plastic or mineral wool is glued to the outside of plywood sheets. You can use other types of insulation, but it is important that when it is heated, there are no toxic fumes. After completing the installation of the insulation, the walls of the frame are sheathed with boards, shields or clapboard.
An inlet is cut out on one side of the booth, after which the outer surfaces of the house are painted. The manhole is closed with a piece of tarpaulin, which will protect the interior of the house from cold air penetration.
After finishing the manufacture of the booth, it is carefully transferred to the aviary and installed in the corner between the blank walls. It is also recommended to place the feeder there.
In order for the husky to always be cheerful and healthy, its habitats must be carefully looked after. They need to be cleaned and washed frequently. Disinfection of buildings from insects is carried out twice a year. At the same time, if necessary, the impregnation of wooden surfaces is renewed and a new layer of paint is applied. At the time of disinfection, the dog is moved to another place and kept there until the unpleasant odors have completely disappeared.
